INDIA is among 3 countries where persecution of Christians is set to increase in 2023, according to a report by Release International, a UK-based aid and advocacy organization.
In its annual ‘Persecution Trends’ report released on Dec 28, 2022, the charity said persecution against Christians is all set to rise in India, Nigeria and China. These countries were clubbed together and listed as ‘growing concern.’ Nigeria was identified as a country of ‘key concern’ in 2023.
On India, Release International had this to say:
“Persecution is set to mount in India in 2023 from Hindu extremist groups. Radical Hindus appear increasingly emboldened by the dominance of the nation’s right-wing BJP government.
“More states are passing anti-conversion laws. Karnataka followed suit in September. There are concerns that a national law to limit the right to convert may follow.
“As intolerance rises, reports of violent attacks against pastors and congregations continue.
“The Evangelical Fellowship of India reported 200 attacks on Christians in just the first five months of 2022. And over the recent Christmas period there were reports of Hindu supremacists burning effigies of Santa Claus, which they equate with Christianity, and chanting ‘Death to Jesus Christ’.
“Release International’s partners say there are long-term serious medical needs among those who have been badly beaten. They also highlight a growing need for Bibles, particularly in rural areas.
“They say, ‘Please pray for protection for Christians, especially pastors and church leaders. Pray for courage to persevere in an increasingly hostile environment. And pray for an end to the anti-conversion laws.’”
The report said violence in Nigeria has driven more than 2 million people from their homes.
“Every indication suggests Nigeria is at a pivotal point in its history. The election in 2023 will determine whether the nation grows as an entity or disintegrates,” one of the organization’s Nigerian partners is quoted as saying in the report.
The report said in China a growing number of Evangelicals are being targeted and arrested on charges of being cults, corruption or illegal religious activity.
“The government under Xi Jinping wants to control everything. They see Christianity as not fully under their control,” says Release International’s local partner in that country, explaining that Christianity is depicted as unpatriotic, outdated and Western in origin.
Read the Release International report in full.Â
